Intaglio engraving press with feed for endless die wiping belt



Sept. 30, 1958 E. A. GI LLIS 2,853,942

INTAGLIO ENGRAVING PRESS WITH FEED FOR ENDLESS DIE WIPING BELT Filed May 25, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 mul IIII UH IHL I N VEN TOR. [mu/w A 6 /4 4 15 A FOP/YE) P 30, 1958 EA. GILLIS 2,853,942

INI'AGLIO ENGRAVING PRESS w fTH FEED FOR ENDLESS DIE WIPING BELT Filed May 25, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 M INVENTOR.

b fp/vu/vo 4 6144/6 T O I a United States Patent INTAGLIO ENGRAVING PRESS WITH FEED FOR ENDLESS DIE WIPING BELT Edmund A. Gillis, Paramns, N. J., assignor to The Crouite Co., Inc., North Bergen, N. J., a corporation of New York Application May 25, 1955, Serial No. 510,940 6 Claims. (Cl. 101-164) This invention relates to intaglio engraving presses such as die-stamping press, having means to feed an endless belt for wiping the die. A press of this type is disclosed in Patent No. 2,586,108, issued February 19, 1952, to Robert N. Steifens. In the press disclosed in said patent, the means for feeding an endless belt through the press in regular increments comprises mechanical means actuated by the same motor which operates the press. In Patent No. 2,662,471, issued December 15, 1953, to Edmund A. Gillis, there is disclosed an intaglio engraving press wherein the means for feeding the endless belt for wiping the die comprises a separate electric motor for making each feeding increment of the belt. In the Gillis patent, means is provided to pass at higher speeds, selected imperfect portions of the belt or the seamed portion of the belt, which portions are undesirable as a wiping surface. To carry out such operation, use is made in the Gillis patent, of a two-speed motor having one speed for the regular increment feeding of the belt, and a second higher speed for the occasional extra long movement of the belt.

In accordance with the present application, the regular increments of movement of the belt is carried out by mechanical means controlling the press which is operated by a motor. The belt is usually formed with a seam. If this seam is allowed to wipe the die, it would cause one or more spoiled imprints. It is an object of this invention to detect when the seam is approaching the wiping pad, and then to assure movement of the seam from in advance of the pad to a position entirely beyond the pad in a single increment of movement occurring within a portion of one press cycle, so that the seam will not wipe the die. To carry out this extra long move ment of the belt, there is provided a separate motor which will start only when the seam is to be passed rapidly past the pad in one extra long feeding. In accordance with the present invention, the second motor drives one of the wringer rollers through an overriding clutch which will engage to drive the roller when turned in one direction, but will not engage when turned in the opposite direction. The construction is such that with the motor at rest, the normally driven roller shaft may be turned independently in the same direction and the overriding clutch merely slips. In accordance with the present invention, the motor'shaft drives the wringer roller shaft in a given direction suitable for moving the belt upward between the wringer rollers for one extra long feeding increment, after which the motor stops. Thence, the mechanical feed increments from the press may continue feeding the belt with the motor at rest. The overriding clutch permits the roller shaft to turn freely in the same direction withthe motor at rest.

Another object of this invention is to provide in an apparatus of the character described, safety means to prevent the motor from responding to the double thickness seam switch in the event that the press stops at the moment that the seam was at the feelers of the double thickness switch which detects the presence of the seam.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide in apparatus of the character described, means to permit the operator to use the motor to move the belt through the press continuously when the press is stopped, for the purpose of cleaning the belt.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide in a press of the character described, motor operated means for operating the press and moving the belt through predetermined increments, and means dependingupon the seam passing a predetermined point in its movement for causing the belt to be moved by means of a separate motor, during a predetermined cycle in the operation of the press, and then to stop the separate motor feed for the belt, so that the belt continues being moved through regular increments by the operation of the press.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a strong, rugged and durable press of the character described which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, which shall be sure and positive in operation and yet practical and efficient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts (and method steps), which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown various illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is afront elevational view of an intaglio engraving press embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view takenon line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view illustrating the seam feeler or double thickness switch;

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical system for operating the additional motor for feeding the belt to pass the seam beyond the wiping pad;

Fig. 7 is a detailed view illustrating a modified form of a seam feeler or double thickness switch; and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the shifter handle control of the safety switch.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, 10 designates an intaglio printing press embodying the invention. For purpose of illustration, machine 10 has-been shown as a die stamping press for printing engraved stationery. The same comprises a frame 11 having a base portion 12 from which extends upwardly a frame portion 13. Also supported on the base 12 are a pair of vertical frame plates 14. Extending from portion 13 is a horizontal frame portion or bed 15. Mounted on the frame 11 is a second frame 16 comprising a base portion 17 mounted on the frame 11. Extending from the base 17 of the frame 16 is an upstanding car 19. Also extending upwardly from base 17 is a vertical frame portion 20 provided with forwardly extending ears 21 and upstanding ears 22. Slidably mounted on frame portion 20 are bearing blocks 23. Extending from said portion 20 and disposed above said bearing blocks are fingers 24. Attached to frame portion 15 is a frame portion 25 comprising an upstanding arm 26 and a horizontal bracket or shelf support 27, for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Rotatably mounted on the plates 14 is a horizontal shaft .30 carrying a pinion 31 meshing with a gear 32, mounted for rotation on a shaft 33 journalled on said plates.

.Shaft 30 is driven by motor M having a drive shaftMl to which is splined a movable clutch element 30a, movable into engagement with a complementary clutch element 30b fixed to said shaft 30. Clutch element 30a may be moved .by a {fork 30d connected by link 300 .to a shifter handle ;S. When the shifter handle is moved in one direction the .clutch elements 30a, 3012 are disengaged (and a brake, not shown, maybe actuated to stop the machine). Movement of the shifter handle in the opposite direction will engage the clutch elements to release the brake and start the machine operating. Pivoted to the base 12 as at 34 is .a'dever .35 having a curved cam slot 36. Fixed for rotatiqnwith the shaft 33 is a disc 37. Mounted eccentrically on said disc is a roller or pin 38 received within the curved slot 36. The slot 36 is substantially :S-shaped as shown. Pivoted to the upper end of the arm '35 as at 39 is .a link 40. Mounted on the :outer end of :the arm is a die 41 which slides in suitable guides on the bed or frame portion 15.

Mounted for rotation on the frame portion 13 is a shaft 43. Fixed to the shaft is a gear 44 which likewise meshes with the pinion .31. Fixed to said shaft is a disc 45. Attached to said disc is a pin 47. Pivo'ted to the pin 47 is a link 48. The upper end of the link is pivoted as at 49 to a-ram 50. It will now be understood that whereas the die 41 reciprocates in a horizontal direction'on the bed '15, the ram will be reciprocated up and down.

'Slidably-mounted on the machine in any suitable manner for vertical up and down movement between suitable guides is a wiping pad 51. Extending upwardly from the wiping pad is an arm or stud 52. Pivoted-to the frame 16 in any suitable manner as at 53 is a bell crank 54. Said bell crank has an arm 55 connected by a pin and slot connection as at 56 to the arm '52 to the wiping pad. Said bell crank 54 has a second arm 57 carrying a roller or follower 58 at its lower end. Attached to the shaft 43 is a cam 59 having a low dwell portion 60-of approximately 300 and a high dwell portion 60 of approximately 60". As the cam 59 rotates, the bell crank 54 will be oscillated in synchronization with the movement of the die 41 for lowering and raising the wiping pad. The timing and arrangement of the cams 36, '59, and the gears is such that the pad 51 comes down just before the die 41 passes the wiping pad (going to the right, looking at l). A coil tension spring 62 interconnects arm 57 of the bell .crank 54 with the frame, as at 63, so that the follower 58 will remain in contact with the cam as the cam rotates.

' Means is provided for applying ink to the top face of the die as the die moves to the left, looking at Fig. l of the drawing. To this end there is pivoted to the frame 11 as at 65, a bell crank 66 having a downwardly extending arm 67 carrying a roller .or follower 68, contacting a cam disc 69, mounted on the shaft 43 and rotating therewith. The bell crank 66 further comprises a horizontal arm 70 connected by a coil tension spring 71 to the base 12 for retaining the follower 68 in engagement with the cam 69. Pivoted to the ear 19 is an arm 72 pivoted as at 73 .to a link 74 which is pivoted to the arm 70 as at- 75. It will now be understood that as the machine operates, the bell crank 66 will be oscillated for moving the link 74 up and down and thereby oscillating the arm 72. The arm 72 is fixed to a shaft 76 journalled on the car 19.

Fixed to the shaft 76 is oscillating arm 77 carrying a transfer roller 78 at its lower end. Mounted on the bed 15 is a container or trough '80 in which is rotatably mounted on a shaft81, an ink roller .82. The roller 82 projects above the receptacle 80 As the arm 77 moves in a clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 1, roller 78 contacts roller 82. As the arm 77 oscillates in a counterclockwise direction the roller 78 contacts the top face of the die 41 for transferring ink from the roller 82 to the die. The operations are so related that the roller 78 will be in its downward position .as the .die passes the roller.

On the upstanding ears 22 is a horizontal shaft carrying an idler roller 111. On the upstanding frame 26 are shafts 112 and 113 carrying idler rollers 114 and 115.- On the frame or bracket 27 is a trough or pan 120. Rotatably mounted therein is a roller 121. Fixed to the frame in any suitable manner are scrappers 122 and 123 at one side of the roller and scrapers 124 and 125 at the opposite side of the roller.

There is further provided a die wiping belt 126 which passes upwardly between the rollers 92 and 93, then over the idler roller 115, then downwardly around the weight 127, then upwardly around the idler roller 114, then over and around the idler roller 111, then around the roller 103, then passing between the rollers 103 and 101. The belt then extends downwardly and beneath the wiping pad 51. The belt then extends over the scrapers 122 and 123 and then down and around the roller 121 in the trough 120. The belt then contacts successively the scrapers 124 and 125. Ink solvent solution is placed in the trough 12.0 to dissolve ink from .the belt. Means hereinafter described is provided for rotating the shaft 91. It will now be understood that when the pad 51 comes down the die 41 moves to the right against the portionof the belt which contacts the pad, to wipe the surface of the die clean. The die then moves to the right .over to a platen P, at which time the work to be printed is placed on the platen and the ram 50 comes down and causes the printing operation. When the die 41 passes the portion of the belt in contact with the pad 51, the belt is stationary and does not move.

Means is provided to advance the belt at a time when the die is not in contact with the belt, at which time the pad is raised from its downmost position. To this end the shaft 91 passes through a bearing 130 in the frame plate 131 fixed to the frame 25. .On bracket 27 is an upstanding plate 132 provided with a ball bearing 133.

Will be rotated from pinion 31, thus rotating the shaft 33.

On shaft 33 is a wheel 33a. Pivoted to an eccentric pin 33b on said wheel 33a, is a link 200 pivoted as at 201 to an arm 202 rotatably mounted on shaft 203. Said shaft 203 is journaled at the upper end of the ear 19. On shaft 203 is a ratchet wheel 204. On arm 202 is a pawl 205. The wheel 33:: rotates in a clockwise direction, looking at Fig. l, to cause arm 202 to oscillate. As arm 202 rotates in an opposite direction, the pawl 205 will merely click over the ratchet teeth of the ratchet 204.

On shaft 203 is a sprocket wheel 206 meshing with a sprocket chain 207 which in turn engages a sprocket wheel 208 mounted on a shaft 100. Rotation of the shaft 100 will rotate the sprocket wheel v107 which moves the sprocket chain 109 which meshes with a sprocket wheel (not shown) on shaft 91 to turn the roller 93. By reason of the engagement of the pinions 94 and 9.5, both'rollers 92 and 93 rotate in opposite directions to feed the belt through a predetermined increment during each press cycle.

It will be noted that the wiping belt may be moved by operation of the drive shaft 30 without interfering with the motor 134. This is due to the fact that the shaft 91 may rotate in a counterclockwise direction, looking at Fig. 4, while the motor and the shaft are stationary. However, when the motor 134 operates in a manner hereinafter appearing, the roller shaft 91 will be rotated in the same direction by the operation of th motor through the clutch 1.63. a

Means is provided to start the electric motor 134 whenever it becomes necessary to run the seam in the belt past the wiping pad, so as to make sure that the die does not wipe against the seam as such operation is likely to cause spoilage to imprints. To this end, there is attached to the frame, a bracket 210 (see Figs. 1 and 5) at a position several inches in advance of the wiping pad, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. On the bracket 210 is a rotary feeler or roller 211. Slidably mounted on the bracket 210 is a slider 213 carrying a roller 212 opposed to the roller 211. The slider 213 is passed forwardly by a spring 214 interposed between the slider and a fixed lug 214a. The belt 126 passes between the rollers 211, 212. When the seam 170 passes between the rollers, the slider 213 is moved in the direction for closing a double thickness or feelerswitch 215 (see wiring diagram of Fig. 6).

Fixed to the frame 13, is a switch 173. The switch 173 comprises a switch arm 174 adapted to engage a fixed contact 175 when the high part 60 of the cam engages said arm. When the low part 61 of the cam engages the arm 174, said arm is disengaged from the fixed contact 175 and engages another fixed contact 175a.

Referring now to Fig. 6, the switch 215 comprises an arm 215a connected to the minus side of the feed line and a fixed contact 215b connected to the coil of a relay R1, which coil is connected to the plus feed line. The relay R1 is a latch relay and once it becomes energized, it will remain energized until. the relay LR1 becomes energized, as will appear hereinafter.

One Side of the relay LR1 is connected to the plus feed line. The other side is connected through wire 300 to a fixed contact of switch C-S. Said switch includes a contact arm connected by wire 301 to the minus feed line. The wire 300 also connects through wire 203 to one side of a power relay R4. The other side of the relay R4 is connected through wire 303 to the plus feed line. Energization of relay R1 will close switch C-1. Said switch C-1 comprises a fixed contact connected through wire 304 to one side of a relay R2, the other side of said relay being connected by wire 305 to the plus feed line. The switch C-l comprises a movable contact arm connected by wire 307 to wire 308 which is connected to the fixed contact 175. The wire 307 also connects to a switch arm of contact C2. The contact C-2 comprises a fixed contact connected by wire 309 to the minus feed line. The fixed contact 175a is connected by wire 311 to the arm of a switch C-3. Said switch, includes a fixed contact connected by Wire 312 to fixed contact of a switch C4. The contact C-4 includes a switch arm connected by wire 313 to the wire 311. The switches C4 and C-5 are controlled by relay R3. Wire 312. is connected to one side of the coil of the relay R3 through a safety switch 3B. The switch arm of the switch C-4 is connected through wire 315 to the same side of the coil of relay R3, through a pushbutton inching switch 3A, and the other side of the relay R3 is con nected to the plus feed line through wire 316.

Across the plus and minus feed lines is the primary coil of a transformer T. The secondary coil of the transformer is connected across the plus and minus lines of a 220 volt supply. These lines are connected through switches C-6 and C7 to the motor 134. When a three phase circuit is used, the common of the 220 volt supply may be connected to the motor through switch C-S. The switches C-6, C-7 and C-8 are closed when the relay R- 4 is energized, to start the motor 134.

A description of the electrical operation is as follows:

The cam 59 will be called a timer cam and the switch 173 will be called a timer switch. With the timer cam 59 in low dwell position, assuming that the double thickness switch 215 is actuated by a belt seam passing between the feeler rollers, thereupon the double thickness switch 215 closes and the latch coil of the latching relay R1 is energized thus closing switch C4, Thus, latching relay R1 remains mechanically latched once it has been energized until it is reset electrically as described later (by energization of relay LR1). At this time, the switch arm is in contact with the normally closed contact 175a of the timer switch 173. Nothing else happens until the raised section of the cam 59 moves the switch arm 174 into engagement with the normally open section or contact 175 of said switch 173, thereby opening the normally closed section of the timer switch. The closing of the switch 174, 175 allows current to flow through the switch C-1 and through relay coil R2, thus closing switches C-2 and C-3. Switch C-2 keeps the relay R2 electrically latched.

Nothing else happens and this condition prevails until the switch roller drops oil the raised section of the timer cam 59. When the timer switch roller drops into low dwell position, the switch is in normal position. Current then flows through the normally closed section of the timer switch 174, 175a, through switch C-3, through safety switch 313 and the coil of relay R3, thus closing switches C-4 and C-5. If the safety switch 38 is not closed, then relay R3 is not energized and the circuit remains open.

Upon closing of the switches C-4 and C-5, the following happens:

The closing of the switch 04 energizes relay R3 through the normally closed section 17 4, 175a of the timer switch 173 and through the safety switch 3B. The closing of the switch C-S energizes the power relay R4, thus closing contacts C-6, C-7 and C8, causing the motor 134 to start and drive the wiping belt. Simultaneously, the latching relayRl is reset because of energization of the reset relay LR1, through wire 300 and switch 05, causing switch C-l to open, thus deenergizing relay R2 and opening switches C-2 and C-fl. The cam 59 continues to turn until the raised section of the timer cam again actuates the timer switch, whereupon the normally closed section of the timer switch 174, 175A is open, causing de-energization of relay R3 and opening of the switches C-4 and C5. The opening of the switch C-5 de-energizes the reset coil LR1 of relay R1, and the power relay R4, thereby opening the switches C6, C-7 and C-8, and stopping the motor 134. All the relays are then back in normal position.

The safety switch 3B is provided so that when the press is stopped, the motor 134 will not respond to the double thickness seam switch in the event that the press happened to be stopped at the moment that the seam was at the feelers of the double thickness switch. The safety switch may comprise a small switch placed on one end of the several mechanical parts which are moved by the manual action of stopping the machine. One method would be to allow this smallswitch 3B to be operated by the movement of the shifter handle S when actuated or moved to declutch and stop the press (Fig. 8).

Depressing the switch by means of the shifter handle will open the circuit so that automatically controlled electric motor 134 for passing the seam will not operate while the operation of the machine has been stopped.

The inching switch 3A is normally open so that when the press is stopped, the operator may use the motor 134 to move the belt through the press continuously for the purpose of cleaning it. The inching switch 3A may comprise an ordinary pushbutton switch fastened to the front of the press at a location convenient to the operator. Providing that the timer switch roller 58 is on the low part of the cam 59, the operation of the pushbutton switch 3A closes and acts to start the motor 134 and move the belt continuously until the push button switch is released. Closing of the push button switch 3A permits current to flow through the normally closed section 174, 175a of the timer switch 173, energizing relay R3 so as to close the switches C-4 and 0-5. The closing of the switch C-S energizes power relay R4 of the closing switches 6, C-7 and C8 to start the motor 134.

In Fig. 7 there is illustrated a modified means of actuating the double thickness switch 215. In Fig. 7, the sliding block 23 will move upwardly when the double thickness at the seam passes between the rollers 103 and 101. This movement of the slider block 23 will close the switch 215.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an apparatus in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the condition of practical use.

As possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In an intaglio engraving printing press, a shaft, means including an electric motor, to rotate said shaft, a

ram, a second shaft, eccentric means on the second shaft for reciprocating said ram, means connected to the first shaft for rotating the second shaft, a third shaft, means connected with the first shaft to rotate the third shaft, a die, means controlled by the third shaft to reciprocate said die from a position below said ram to a position away from said ram, a pad, an endless wiping belt, means controlled by the second shaft for alternately moving said pad to press the belt against the die and for retracting the die to relieve pressure of the wiping belt against the die, a pair of pressed together rollers contacting opposite sides of the belt, means controlled by the third shaft for intermittently rotating one of said rollers for advancing the belt in increments in synchronization with the operation of the ram, die, and pad, a second pair of pressed together rollers on opposite sides of the belt, a second electric motor, a clutch interposed between said second motor and one of the rollers of the second pair of rollers, said belt having a seam and means dependent upon the passage of said seam past a predetermined point in advance of the pad to cause said second electric motor to operate for advancing the belt through a longer distance than one of said increments.

2. In an intaglio engraving printing press, a ram, a die, a wiping pad, an electric motor, drive means driven by said motor to move said ram, die and pad in synchronization, a seamed endless wiping belt adapted to be pressed by the pad against the die, means controlled by the drive means to advance said endless belt, a second electric motor, means operated by the second motor to advance said belt, a seam switch adapted to be closed by the belt when a seamed portion of the belt reaches said seam switch, a latching relay in series with said seam switch and adapted to be energized and latched in energized condition when the seam switch is closed by the seam in saidendless belt, a switch adapted to be closed when said relay is energized, a second relay in series with the switch controlled by the first relay, a cam rotatable by said drive means,]a switch having a normally closed section, closed when the lowpart of the cam engages the switch, anda normally open section adapted to be closed when the high part of the cam actuates the switch, the arrangement being such that the high part of the cam closes the normally open section of the cam switch when the wiping pad presses against the endless belt, the normally open section of said cam switch being in series with the switch controlled by the first relay, a pair of switches controlled by the second relay, one of said pair of switches being in series with the switch controlled by the first relay, the second of said pair of switches being in series with the normally closed section of the cam switch, a third relay in serics with said second of said pair of switches and with the normally closed section of the cam switch, a pair of switches controlled by the third relay, the first of the pair of switches controlled by the third relay being in series with said third relay and with the normally closed section of the cam switch, a fourth relay, switches controlled by the fourth relay for closing the circuit to said second motor, the second of the pair of switches controlled by the third relay being in series with the fourth relay.

3. The combination of claim 2, in combination with a fifth relay adapted to unlatch the first relay when said fifth relay is energized, the secondof the pair of switches controlled by the third relay being in series with said fifth relay.

4. The combination of claim 3, a clutch interposed be tween the first electric motor and the drive means, means to actuate said clutch, and a switch controlled by said actuating means and interposed between the third relay and the second of the pair of switches controlled by the second relay.

5. The combination of claim 4, in combination with conducting means interposed between the third relay and the closed section of the cam switch whereby to cut out the first of the pair of switches controlled by the third relay, and a manual switch interposed in said conducting means.

6. The combination of claim 3, in combination with conducting means interposed between the third relay and the closed section of the cam switch whereby to cut out the first of the pair of switches controlled by the third relay, and a manual switch interposed in said conducting means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,970,567 Potts Aug. 21, 1934 2,369,290 Foard Feb. 13, 1945 2,586,108 StelIens Feb. 19, 1952 2,662,471 Gillis Dec. 15, 1953 

